Needing some encouragement

[Guest guest]

Hi Everybody, Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy with all of this. I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However, there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of them. When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So, when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been in pain

the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that bulge out, so it's only normal she has bruises there. Other than that, her skin looks pretty good. Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder. It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute things babies do. But I just have to

be thankful that we have these wk breaks in between castings. Im sorry for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for encouragement since you all know the feelings I have. Thanks for allowing this :)Shauna

[Guest guest]

Shauna,You are feeling completely normal. We have all had our moments, days, weeks, etc. of feeling down about our baby being in a cast. Just remember this is a s l o w process and you may not see improvement this soon.Sure you may be missing out on some little things, but in the end it will be all worth it. Think of all the things Hadley has figured out to do while in the cast. Be happy and thankful for that. Which I am sure you are......you are just having a low day. Go ahead and have it! I had many of those days while was going through casting. With him being a twin I always looked at what his brother could do and was so sad "if" he couldn't do it. BUT he managed to find his own way to do things. And for that I was happy.Hadley is a very lucky little girl. God

chose you to be her Mom and knew you could handle all this. That doesn't mean you can't feel down sometimes. Vent to us whenever you need to......that is what we are here for.Hugs to you.......take care and eat some ice cream for breakfast!TashaMommy of twin boys- and 3 years oldFort Worth, Texas is 7.5 degrees and brace free during the day!!!Casting 14 months and bracing 10 monthsSubject: Needing some encouragementTo: infantile_scoliosis Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 7:02 AM

Hi Everybody, Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy with all of this. I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However, there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of them. When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know this is only normal, but

with her first cast, she had nothing. So, when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been in pain

the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that bulge out, so it's only normal she has bruises there. Other than that, her skin looks pretty good. Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder. It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute things babies do. But I just have to

be thankful that we have these wk breaks in between castings. Im sorry for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for encouragement since you all know the feelings I have. Thanks for allowing this :)Shauna

[Guest guest]

Oh Shauna how I feel your pain. I try to be strong much of the time, but we are all human and have our days when we just are fed up. Yes, it could be so much worse, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be better. You may recall my very recent pity party. I followed the advice of all the wise Mommies on this group. Allow yourself to be sad for a little while. You've earned it. You will pick yourself up again for your beautiful baby. You will see her laugh, play and just deal with all of this with so much grace that you have no other choice but to say, "It will all be alright." Most likely she won't even remember any of this. She doesn't know anything different. Picture years from now how much better off she will be. I know it is all worth it. We can do this! Hang in

there and know that you are not alone.

I'll be thinking of you!

Jill

Subject: Needing some encouragementTo: infantile_scoliosis Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 8:02 AM

Hi Everybody, Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy with all of this. I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However, there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of them. When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So, when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been in pain the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that bulge out, so it's

only normal she has bruises there. Other than that, her skin looks pretty good. Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder. It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute things babies do. But I just have to be thankful that we have these wk breaks in between castings. Im sorry

for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for encouragement since you all know the feelings I have. Thanks for allowing this :)Shauna

[Guest guest]

Hi Shauna,

I remember when Finn got his first cast off. I was so depressed. It brought me right back to the reality that his back is very crooked. He had all the same things as Hadley like lopsided shoulders and his neck looked shifted. Finn also was so thin. He must have lost 5 lbs in that first cast. I stayed depressed for days. His second cast removal was much better. I thought he overall looked just a little bit better.So now he is in his third cast and I am hoping when this cast comes off he will again look a little better.

I think, like a lot of the other mothers, that we are just going to feel sad some days and it is normal. Sometimes I pull away from the friends that aren't experiencing these same issues, but then I realize that Finn really doesn't know yet that he is any different. We were invited to a pool party this weekend and at first we were not going to go, but then I thought of all the fun things Finn can do. He can squirt other kids with a watergun and he can put his feet in a kiddie pool. So, I try to move on. I think that we are going to have to grieve over this to be able to get through it. It's just part of the human emotional process. So know that each day that you are grieving this is that much closer to a day you can actually feel better. That's the way I have chosen to look at it anyway.

Take Care,

Subject: Needing some encouragementTo: infantile_scoliosis Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 8:02 AM

Hi Everybody, Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy with all of this. I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However, there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of them. When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So, when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been in pain the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that bulge out, so it's

only normal she has bruises there. Other than that, her skin looks pretty good. Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder. It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute things babies do. But I just have to be thankful that we have these wk breaks in between castings. Im sorry

for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for encouragement since you all know the feelings I have. Thanks for allowing this :)Shauna

[Guest guest]

Hi Shauna,

I remember when Finn got his first cast off. I was so depressed. It brought me right back to the reality that his back is very crooked. He had all the same things as Hadley like lopsided shoulders and his neck looked shifted. Finn also was so thin. He must have lost 5 lbs in that first cast. I stayed depressed for days. His second cast removal was much better. I thought he overall looked just a little bit better.So now he is in his third cast and I am hoping when this cast comes off he will again look a little better.

I think, like a lot of the other mothers, that we are just going to feel sad some days and it is normal. Sometimes I pull away from the friends that aren't experiencing these same issues, but then I realize that Finn really doesn't know yet that he is any different. We were invited to a pool party this weekend and at first we were not going to go, but then I thought of all the fun things Finn can do. He can squirt other kids with a watergun and he can put his feet in a kiddie pool. So, I try to move on. I think that we are going to have to grieve over this to be able to get through it. It's just part of the human emotional process. So know that each day that you are grieving this is that much closer to a day you can actually feel better. That's the way I have chosen to look at it anyway.

Take Care,

Subject: Needing some encouragementTo: infantile_scoliosis Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 8:02 AM

Hi Everybody, Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy with all of this. I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However, there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of them. When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So, when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been in pain the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that bulge out, so it's

only normal she has bruises there. Other than that, her skin looks pretty good. Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder. It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute things babies do. But I just have to be thankful that we have these wk breaks in between castings. Im sorry

for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for encouragement since you all know the feelings I have. Thanks for allowing this :)Shauna

[Guest guest]

Shauna,

I think we have to give this syndrome/depression a name.... like post-cast removal syndrome or something... I ALWAYS get very depressed for about a week after Noelle's cast comes off before I can get my head and my heart back on the same page. You are entitled to the way you feel... I feel that way too... We are missing out on those cute toe-sucking moments and soft snuggles, etc. and it is downright painful at times. But, how we savor and relish the moments when we get them!!!!! We never take a bath or a soft snuggle for granted, do we? I have friends who look at bath-time with their kids like a chore and for us it's a treat!!!! Go ahead and have yourself a good old pity-party before you get it together again and I'll be thinking of you.... Keep us posted. Hugs, Steph

Subject: Needing some encouragementTo: infantile_scoliosis Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 12:02 PM

Hi Everybody, Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy with all of this. I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However, there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of them. When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So, when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been in pain the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that bulge out, so it's

only normal she has bruises there. Other than that, her skin looks pretty good. Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder. It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute things babies do. But I just have to be thankful that we have these wk breaks in between castings. Im sorry

for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for encouragement since you all know the feelings I have. Thanks for allowing this :)Shauna

[Guest guest]

Shauna,

I think we have to give this syndrome/depression a name.... like post-cast removal syndrome or something... I ALWAYS get very depressed for about a week after Noelle's cast comes off before I can get my head and my heart back on the same page. You are entitled to the way you feel... I feel that way too... We are missing out on those cute toe-sucking moments and soft snuggles, etc. and it is downright painful at times. But, how we savor and relish the moments when we get them!!!!! We never take a bath or a soft snuggle for granted, do we? I have friends who look at bath-time with their kids like a chore and for us it's a treat!!!! Go ahead and have yourself a good old pity-party before you get it together again and I'll be thinking of you.... Keep us posted. Hugs, Steph

Subject: Needing some encouragementTo: infantile_scoliosis Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 12:02 PM

Hi Everybody, Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy with all of this. I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However, there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of them. When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So, when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been in pain the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that bulge out, so it's

only normal she has bruises there. Other than that, her skin looks pretty good. Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder. It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute things babies do. But I just have to be thankful that we have these wk breaks in between castings. Im sorry

for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for encouragement since you all know the feelings I have. Thanks for allowing this :)Shauna

[Guest guest]

Hi Shauna,

It's so normal to have the feelings you are having.

Max had a total of 10 casts. It wasn't until cast #7 was removed that

he had bruising.

Max had his first VEPTR II expanison on Monday. Nothing breaks my

heart more than hearing him cry as they wheeled him away, " Daddy,

please don't let them take me! " 3 days later it still makes me cry.

Today was the first day this week he climbed out of bed on his own

since Monday.

Being off this week from work with Max, I've been able to cuddle more

with our 7 month old also. I kept asking myself all week, why I don't

remember this cuddling with Max, it's because Max was in braces &

casts that i couldn't so easily. But, there are so many happy times

with Max. Focusing on this makes each days easier.

Two weeks ago, while changing Sam's diaper, Max says, " When Sam gets

big like me, he gets a brace too! " At the age of 3, they still don't

know much different. We help Max recognize the imperfections of

things and people. I have a mole above my lip, Max knows that's my

imperfection (just one of many). If his cookie isn't a perfect

circle, he'll tell me it's an imperfection. I reassure him

imperfections are a part of life.

It's hard to see our babies have to face these challenges daily, but

know in your heart, your are offering Hadley the best quality of life

for her future.

Hang in there.

Aekta

>

> Hi Everybody,

> Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who

would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a

different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about

it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy

with all of this.

>

> I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down

about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted

it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me.  However,

there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of

them.

> When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know

this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So,

when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby

all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been

in pain the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that

bulge out, so it's only normal she has bruises there.  Other than

that, her skin looks pretty good.

>

> Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One

side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if

it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It

has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I

guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will

come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked

little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder.

>

> It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny

little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to

know mine can't do that. Then when  I see Hadley doing it when she

gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute

things babies do. But I just have to be thankful that we have these

wk breaks in between castings.

>

> Im sorry for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this

way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the

time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for

encouragement since you all know the feelings I have.

>

> Thanks for allowing this

> Shauna

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Shauna,You're not alone with what you're feeling. I have those depression moments every time i see my son in a cast. How he cannot have his favorite time, his bath and it breaks my heart every time i give him his sponge bath and he starts crying because he wants to be in the bathtub and play with water like he used to. I don't know if this will help but i think that our children are lucky because now we have the technology to correct the scoliosis. My employer told me that back then they did not have this type of treatment and his sister has scoliosis. His sister up to today still have the curviture because this kind of treatment was not possible. I just keep thinking that every time i look at my son and to know that he is not in pain and actually a happy child. My son's recast is not until November,

i'm glad to know that bruising is possible because if i see that on my son and did not know that's possible i would really freak out. But keep your chin up and just look in the future when the cast is not needed anymore.Subject: Re: Needing some encouragementTo: infantile_scoliosis Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 9:07 PM

Hi Shauna,

It's so normal to have the feelings you are having.

Max had a total of 10 casts. It wasn't until cast #7 was removed that

he had bruising.

Max had his first VEPTR II expanison on Monday. Nothing breaks my

heart more than hearing him cry as they wheeled him away, "Daddy,

please don't let them take me!" 3 days later it still makes me cry.

Today was the first day this week he climbed out of bed on his own

since Monday.

Being off this week from work with Max, I've been able to cuddle more

with our 7 month old also. I kept asking myself all week, why I don't

remember this cuddling with Max, it's because Max was in braces &

casts that i couldn't so easily. But, there are so many happy times

with Max. Focusing on this makes each days easier.

Two weeks ago, while changing Sam's diaper, Max says, "When Sam gets

big like me, he gets a brace too!" At the age of 3, they still don't

know much different. We help Max recognize the imperfections of

things and people. I have a mole above my lip, Max knows that's my

imperfection (just one of many). If his cookie isn't a perfect

circle, he'll tell me it's an imperfection. I reassure him

imperfections are a part of life.

It's hard to see our babies have to face these challenges daily, but

know in your heart, your are offering Hadley the best quality of life

for her future.

Hang in there.

Aekta

>

> Hi Everybody,

> Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who

would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a

different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about

it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy

with all of this.

>

> I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down

about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted

it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However,

there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of

them.

> When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know

this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So,

when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby

all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been

in pain the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that

bulge out, so it's only normal she has bruises there. Other than

that, her skin looks pretty good.

>

> Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One

side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if

it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It

has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I

guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will

come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked

little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder.

>

> It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny

little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to

know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she

gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute

things babies do. But I just have to be thankful that we have these

wk breaks in between castings.

>

> Im sorry for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this

way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the

time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for

encouragement since you all know the feelings I have.

>

> Thanks for allowing this

> Shauna

>

[Guest guest]

I just want to thank everybody so much for all the e-mails of encouragement. You have no idea how much reading them helped me get through this time of depression about Hadley. It is such a good feeling to know I am not alone in this and I can talk to others who can relate to me. Nobody else really understands what I'm going through as all of you do. And yet, you all know the things to say to keep me strong and to remember the reasons why we are doing all of this and how rewarding it really can be. So, thank you everybody so much. It brings tears to my eyes how much you all responded to my needing some encouragement. That is what a support group is for!!! I am so thankful to have found this group!!!! We are enjoying every moment of Hadley being out of her cast. Trying not to look at what is ahead for next wk. Everytime I pick her up, I hold her so

close rubbing her back. I am savoring the moments she puts her little head on my shoulder! We are getting as much snuggle time as we possibly can with her. And of course letting her enjoy all the things she can not do with a cast. She seems a little bit afraid though of some things such as baths and painting. Probably just because she's not used to them. But I'm glad she is still getting to experience them!!!! THANK YOU again! EVERYBODY! It means so much to me!!!!!ShaunaFrom: babymaxpd <babymaxpdyahoo (DOT) com>Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] Re: Needing some encouragementTo: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. comDate: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 9:07 PM

Hi Shauna,

It's so normal to have the feelings you are having.

Max had a total of 10 casts. It wasn't until cast #7 was removed that

he had bruising.

Max had his first VEPTR II expanison on Monday. Nothing breaks my

heart more than hearing him cry as they wheeled him away, "Daddy,

please don't let them take me!" 3 days later it still makes me cry.

Today was the first day this week he climbed out of bed on his own

since Monday.

Being off this week from work with Max, I've been able to cuddle more

with our 7 month old also. I kept asking myself all week, why I don't

remember this cuddling with Max, it's because Max was in braces &

casts that i couldn't so easily. But, there are so many happy times

with Max. Focusing on this makes each days easier.

Two weeks ago, while changing Sam's diaper, Max says, "When Sam gets

big like me, he gets a brace too!" At the age of 3, they still don't

know much different. We help Max recognize the imperfections of

things and people. I have a mole above my lip, Max knows that's my

imperfection (just one of many). If his cookie isn't a perfect

circle, he'll tell me it's an imperfection. I reassure him

imperfections are a part of life.

It's hard to see our babies have to face these challenges daily, but

know in your heart, your are offering Hadley the best quality of life

for her future.

Hang in there.

Aekta

>

> Hi Everybody,

> Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who

would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a

different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about

it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy

with all of this.

>

> I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down

about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted

it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However,

there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of

them.

> When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know

this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So,

when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby

all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been

in pain the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that

bulge out, so it's only normal she has bruises there. Other than

that, her skin looks pretty good.

>

> Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One

side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if

it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It

has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I

guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will

come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked

little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder.

>

> It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny

little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to

know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she

gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute

things babies do. But I just have to be thankful that we have these

wk breaks in between castings.

>

> Im sorry for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this

way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the

time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for

encouragement since you all know the feelings I have.

>

> Thanks for allowing this

> Shauna

>

[Guest guest]

Hugs to you and Max... breaks my heart when they cry like that, too.... Steph

Subject: Re: Needing some encouragementTo: infantile_scoliosis Date: Friday, August 29, 2008, 4:07 AM

Hi Shauna,It's so normal to have the feelings you are having. Max had a total of 10 casts. It wasn't until cast #7 was removed that he had bruising. Max had his first VEPTR II expanison on Monday. Nothing breaks my heart more than hearing him cry as they wheeled him away, "Daddy, please don't let them take me!" 3 days later it still makes me cry.Today was the first day this week he climbed out of bed on his own since Monday. Being off this week from work with Max, I've been able to cuddle more with our 7 month old also. I kept asking myself all week, why I don't remember this cuddling with Max, it's because Max was in braces & casts that i couldn't so easily. But, there are so many happy times with Max. Focusing on this makes each days easier. Two weeks ago, while changing Sam's diaper, Max says, "When Sam gets big like me, he gets a brace too!" At the age of 3, they

still don't know much different. We help Max recognize the imperfections of things and people. I have a mole above my lip, Max knows that's my imperfection (just one of many). If his cookie isn't a perfect circle, he'll tell me it's an imperfection. I reassure him imperfections are a part of life. It's hard to see our babies have to face these challenges daily, but know in your heart, your are offering Hadley the best quality of life for her future. Hang in there. Aekta >> Hi Everybody, > Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about

it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy with all of this. > > I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However, there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of them. > When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So, when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been in pain the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that bulge out, so it's only normal she has bruises there. Other than that, her skin looks pretty good. > > Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One

side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder. > > It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute things babies do. But I just have to be thankful that we have these wk breaks in between castings. > > Im sorry for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this way and break down once in awhile.

Its hard to be strong all the time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for encouragement since you all know the feelings I have. > > Thanks for allowing this > Shauna>

[Guest guest]

Shauna,

Just wanted to say that we all have had those days. I can remember crying while Moriah was playing in the bathtub at the age of 2 and 3. She had fusion and a huge rib deformity. She never saw me crying, but it was a kind of mourning knowing her back would never be the same. I continue to pray that this casting process will address all the needs Hadley has and that one day you can look back at this tough time from a much better place in life.

shellie

Subject: Needing some encouragementTo: infantile_scoliosis Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 7:02 AM

Hi Everybody, Hadley got her cast off yesterday. We found somebody locally who would work with us. Actually, its her new pediatrician, only at a different clinic. So, it works out nicely. And the nicest thing about it is, they are doing it free of charge for us. So, were very happy with all of this. I have no facts on her back yet. I have been just feeling down about her lately. Usually, i feel ok with all this and have accepted it as a part of our lives. It usually doesnt bother me. However, there are times when I just get down about it. And these are one of them. When we got her cast off, she had a bad bruise on her ribs. I know this is only normal, but with her first cast, she had nothing. So, when I saw the bruise, my heart just dropped. Seeing my little baby all bruised up was so hard to see. Just to think she could have been in pain the whole time. The bruise is on the side of the ribs that bulge out, so it's

only normal she has bruises there. Other than that, her skin looks pretty good. Also, when I look at her back, her shoulders look so lopsided. One side goes up so much further than the other. And her neck looks as if it is sitting more on one side of her shoulders than the other. It has always looked like this, but seeing it again was just hard. I guess in the back on my head I always have the hopes that she will come out of her cast looking brand new. So when i see her crooked little back, all my hopes are flushed away and its that much harder. It's just hard once in awhile to look around and see all these tiny little babies snuggling up or putting their toes in their mouths to know mine can't do that. Then when I see Hadley doing it when she gets her cast off, it makes me realize I'm missing out on little cute things babies do. But I just have to be thankful that we have these wk breaks in between castings. Im sorry

for breaking down. I know some other mom's must feel this way and break down once in awhile. Its hard to be strong all the time. I just thought this would be the perfect place for encouragement since you all know the feelings I have. Thanks for allowing this :)Shauna